Five West Coast Eagles and one Fremantle Docker named in AFLW’s 22Under22 squad for 2025 season

West Coast’s young talent has continued to shine, recognised as some of the AFLW’s best with the club well represented in this year’s AFL Players’ Association 22Under22 squad.

The Eagles had a whopping five players selected in the initial 44-person squad with only Port Adelaide better represented with six.

Star midfielder Ella Roberts looks all but certain to make it a hat-trick of selection in the final side, named alongside co-captain Charlotte Thomas, defender Georgie Cleaver and rising star contenders Lucia Painter and Jess Rentch.

Roberts has averaged 23 touches, seven tackles and four clearances a game and sits as an outside chance to take out the league’s best and fairest following another dominant season in blue and gold.

Thomas will be hoping to make it back-to-back year’s in the final team while Jess Rentch, Georgie Cleaver and Lucia Painter will all be chasing their first selection in the side.

Painter has had a stellar debut season after bursting onto the scene with an incredible three-goal debut in round one to earn a rising star nomination.

Key forward Georgie Brisbane was the sole Docker named after an impressive first year, featuring in 10 out of a possible 11 games and kicking five goals.

West Australian’s Zippy Fish (Sydney) and Kaitlyn Srhoj (GWS) have also been selected in the squad.

Chair of Selector’s and Channel Seven’s Kate McCarthy said the new generation of AFLW talent was very impressive.

“The depth of young talented players in AFLW has gone to another level in 2025, and their impact on the competition continues to grow with each season,” she said.

“It was extremely difficult to reduce the players to a squad of 44 and unfortunately that means some players were unlucky to miss out.

“But that proves the strength of this crop of players, which will propel the competition well into the future. The future of AFLW is in safe hands.”

The final 22Under22 side will be released on November 12.